About Us
For 32 years, NCAP has combined community outreach, education, advocacy and organizing to protect the health of people and the environment by advancing alternatives to pesticides. Rural residents and reforestation workers concerned about herbicide spraying in Northwest forests formed the group in 1977.
NCAP has a variety of programs benefiting rural and urban communities throughout the Northwest. NCAP is urging better protections to keep pesticides out of water; establishing safe, pesticide-free places for kids to live, learn and play; strengthening sustainable agriculture and rural economies; and educating people about using alternatives to pesticides in and around their homes.
Click here to see what we have accomplished over the last three decades.
Our People
NCAP Staff
Kim Leval, Executive Director
Kim joined NCAP as Executive Director in January 2009. Kim brings to
NCAP 21 years of non-profit work experience and a passion for working
with people to find alternatives to pesticides. From 1997 to 2007, as a
policy analyst with the Center for Rural Affairs, Kim worked with
farmers, scientists, and health and environmental advocates to develop
federal policies to benefit family farms and ranches, sustainable and
organic agriculture and research into alternatives to pesticides. Kim
then worked as Fund Development Director for Rural Development
Initiatives. Her work has included grassroots organizing, federal and
state policy development, and educating and engaging people on how to
create needed reforms. Kim serves as Chair of the Oregon Organic
Coalition Leadership Council, as a member of the policy committee of the
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, on the agriculture
transitions work group of the Pesticide Working Group, and as a board
member of the newly founded national organization - IPM Voice. Kim has a
Master of Science degree in Adult Education and Agricultural
Extension from Cornell University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in
International Studies from the University of Oregon. She brings
expertise in adult learning theory and transformational and
institutional change models and relates this knowledge to achieve
lasting change through NCAP's work.
541-344-5044, ext. 15
kleval@pesticide.org
Shelly Connor, Development Director
Previously, she worked as the associate director for Appalachian Voices, an environmental non-profit based in Boone, NC. In addition, she worked as director of Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and served on the Board of Directors for two years. She also worked as a citizen outreach director where she ran a door-to-door fundraising campaign for Montana Public Interest Research Group (MontPIRG), Sierra Club and the Human Rights Campaign. She was the co-founder of the first Montana Farm to College Program at the University of Montana in Missoula. Shelly earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and Masters of Science degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana. Shelly joined the NCAP staff in 2008.
541-344-5044, ext. 17
sconnor@pesticide.org
Aimee Code, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Associate
Aimee spent two years in the Peace Corps in Honduras promoting organic gardening and educating communities about pesticide risks. She was previously employed at the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network, an EPA-funded public education group. Aimee earned a Masters of Science in Environmental Health and Toxicology at Oregon State University in 2000. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts (1994) from Northern Arizona University, with interdisciplinary focus on international relations and environmental studies. She joined the NCAP staff in 2000.
541-344-5044, ext. 27
acode@pesticide.org
Edward Winter, Financial Manager
Previously, he served as financial manager of an organic juice cooperative for 12 years and worked as an accountant for 20 years. He also worked as a statistician for the National Center for Health Statistics. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and sociology from the University of Minnesota in 1964. He joined NCAP in 2000.
541-344-5044, ext. 28
ewinter@pesticide.org
Rebecca Matsumato, Membership Assistant
Rebecca began volunteering at NCAP five years ago, spurred on by a desire to protect her daughter's health, and began working here as the Accounting Assistant within a few months. She graduated cum laude from the University of Oregon in 2000 with degrees in Japanese language and Asian Studies. She is pleased to be working toward a less poisonous future.
541-344-5044, ext. 19
rmatsumoto@pesticide.org
Jennifer Miller, Sustainable Agriculture Associate
Jen coordinates NCAP's sustainable agriculture work with farmers in
southern Idaho. She previously taught plant biology at Southwestern
College, a liberal arts college in Kansas. Jen received her Bachelor of Science in
biology from the University of Northern Iowa in 1994 and her doctoral degree in
plant physiology from The
Pennsylvania State University in 2000. She joined the NCAP staff in
2002.
Boise Idaho Office
208-850-6504 (phone)
208-433-1827 (fax)
jmiller@pesticide.org
Josh Vincent, campaigns Associate
Josh currently does communications and outreach for NCAP's online, Pesticide Free Parks and Sustainable Agriculture programs. Before joining NCAP, he worked as the community outreach and program research assistant for Oregon Toxics Alliance. He holds a degree in graphic arts from the University of Oregon, and has worked as an organizer on environmental issues since 2006.
541-344-5044, ext. 22
jvincent@pesticide.org
NCAP Board
Betty McArdle, Oregon (President)
For nine years Betty taught Naturescaping and chemical-free landscaping using native plants and environmentally friendly gardening practices. Betty has a rich background in non-profit environmental organizations as both a staff and board member. She leads the non-profit organization Community Media Assistance Project (CMAP) with the goal of helping more community organizations launch radio stations in 2012. She and her husband Michael work together setting up community radio stations.
Brise Tencer, California
Brise Tencer is the Director of Policy and Programs for California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). She leads CCOF’s local, state, federal and international policy initiatives and advocacy campaigns. She previously served for four years as the lead lobbyist on food and agriculture issues for the Union of Concerned Scientists in Washington, D.C., and for seven years as the Legislative Coordinator for Organic Farming Research Foundation.
Helen Haberman, Oregon
Helen is an environmental science teacher in the Rachel Carson Program, a small learning community where students gain an in-depth understanding of the natural environment at Eugene's Churchill High School. Students in the program monitor watershed health and provide valuable restoration work in partnership with government and non-profit groups. Helen previously managed a small business in Eugene. She has a master's degree in education.
Karl Arne, Washington
Karl retired from EPA in 2008, after a 28-year career that focused primarily on pesticides. He worked in pesticide risk assessment at the Office of Pesticide Programs at EPA headquarters and then moved to the Region 10 Office in Seattle in 1988. In Seattle, he served as a pesticide expert and also led the Ag Sector, and effort to coordinate EPA programs that have a connection to agriculture. Karl holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Washington State University and began his career in pesticides when he was a postdoctoral research associate at Duke University.
Martin Guerena, California
Martin Guerena is a former Peace Corps volunteer (Ecuador) with a BS from UC Davis and a MS in Agriculture, from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He is a certified organic inspector and California Pest Control Advisor. Mr. Guerena has experience working as a farmer, farm advisor, teacher, sustainable agriculture specialist with the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is currently the integrated pest management specialist for the City of Davis, California.
Sara Nienaber, Oregon (secretary)
Sara is currently a graduate student in environmental studies at the University of Oregon. She is a recent transplant to the Northwest, moving to Eugene from Ohio after earning her BA in zoology in 2009 from
Ohio Wesleyan University. Sara has previously completed research on the effects of atrazine and carbaryl on amphibian physiology, and is now interested in studying the social and political factors that can encourage alternatives to pesticides.
Tony Brand, Idaho (treasurer)
Tony is owner of Brandtastic Soil, LLC and manufactures and distributes potting soil and soil amendments to retailers in Southern Idaho and Utah. He has served with the board of the Twin Falls, Idaho Area Chamber of Commerce, Twin Falls Optimist Club and the Idaho Chapter of the March of Dimes. He is a founding board member of the Twin Falls County Pest Abatement District where he has worked for prevention and a strong Integrated Pest Management policy. Tony is also a Master Gardener.
